The days of giving young players tryouts to see if they can develop into major leaguers are over in Houston. The likes of Jonathan Villar and Robbie Grossman had their chance, but the Astros could no longer wait. General manager Jeff Luhnow signed veterans like Jed Lowrie, Luke Gregerson, Pat Neshek and Colby Rasmus to […]

The days of giving young players tryouts to see if they can develop into major leaguers are over in Houston. The likes of Jonathan Villar and Robbie Grossman had their chance, but the Astros could no longer wait. General manager Jeff Luhnow signed veterans like Jed Lowrie, Luke Gregerson, Pat Neshek and Colby Rasmus to help his team win more games and reach the next stage of progress. Whether or not A.J. Hinch is the right manager to push the Astros toward contention remains to be seen. He could have one of the most exciting teams in MLB. But at least disagreements between the dugout and front office won’t compromise the long-term plan.

Impact Rookies: In something of a surprise for such a young team, the Astros might not have any rookies make a meaningful contribution this season. They might have gotten that out of the way last year with George Springer, Jon Singleton, Collin McHugh and Jake Marisnick emerging as major league ballplayers. As mentioned in the introduction, trying to win games in Houston has begun to take precedence over auditioning young players.

However, if one prospect does make his way to the majors this season to help out the cause, it could be pitcher Mark Appel. Players from the 2013 MLB Draft class — notably Kris Bryant and Jon Gray — are on the verge of graduating from the minors, so it’s natural to wonder if the No. 1 overall pick from that year is ready to take that step.

Appel famously struggled last season at advanced Class A Lancaster, compiling a 9.74 ERA in 12 starts, yet was promoted to Double-A in a move that stirred some resentment in the organization. But the right-hander was striking out eight batters per nine innings, while walking an average of two, so there was some promise in his performance. In seven appearances (six starts) with Corpus Christi, Appel thrived, posting a 3.69 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 39 innings and cutting his hit rate in half.

The 23-year-old seems likely to begin the season in Double-A or perhaps Triple-A, but he’s impressed teammates and coaches early in the spring with increased velocity and a more compact delivery. Is it possible that Appel could win a spot in the rotation if he throws well in the Grapefruit League season? With the No. 5 starter job seemingly open, the opportunity appears to be there. Making the jump from Double-A to the majors — or following a short stint at Triple-A — is hardly unheard of for pitchers.

Position Battles: The most important competition in Astros camp this spring may be for the center field job. Who wins the position may indicate which direction the team pursues for the rest of the season.

Colby Rasmus was signed in mid-January, providing a low-cost veteran looking to rebuild his value before hitting free agency again. Rasmus, 28, has played center field during his whole MLB career, but advanced metrics say he wasn’t very good there last season. That could create an opening for Marisnick, who’s a superior defender but posted a .299 on-base percentage and .669 OPS in 2014. Playing Marisnick would give the Astros a far better defensive outfield, especially if it prevented Gattis from playing left field. But the lineup might be more potent with Marisnick starting the season in Triple-A.

The outfield battle could also affect who plays first base and designated hitter. If Jon Singleton hits well enough to win a job this spring (after batting .168 with a .620 OPS last year), the Astros have to put him somewhere. That likely pushes Gattis or Chris Carter to left field, with the other batting as DH. Manager A.J. Hinch sounds like he prefers to keep Gattis away from the outfield for now, so Singleton (or Marisnick) might end up getting squeezed out in an early roster crunch — especially since both have minor league options — rather than performance.

Injury Concerns: Besides his lack of defensive skills, another reason the Astros likely want to prevent Gattis from playing the outfield is to keep him healthy. Knee and back injuries have limited him to 213 games in two MLB seasons. It’s tantalizing to imagine what Gattis could do if he played more than 110 games in a season, and the Astros will do what they can to make sure that happens.

Jed Lowrie was limited to 136 games last year by finger and foot injuries. Yet that was actually the second-highest total in what’s been a rather injury-plagued career. Prior to his past two seasons with Oakland, Lowrie had never made 400 plate appearances in a season, plagued by wrist, shoulder and leg issues. It’s possible that 140 games is approximately the number of games that the Astros will try to play him, in an effort to keep him fresh. The team could also reduce his time in the field by using Marwin Gonzalez as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Most Important Player: George Springer
Not picking Jose Altuve, who led MLB with a .341 average, here might seem strange. Chris Carter, who belted 37 home runs — second in the AL — could be another good pick. But for the Astros to advance toward 80 wins and possible contention, they will need Springer to be an impact player in their lineup.

Called up a couple of weeks into the 2014 season, the 25-year-old outfielder struggled initially, looking like he wasn’t ready for the majors. In April, Springer hit .182 with a .480 OPS and 19 strikeouts in 61 plate appearances. But he became comfortable in May and began launching balls out of the park. During one four-game stretch, Springer hit five home runs with 11 RBI. Eventually, that became seven homers in seven games. Perhaps not coincidentally, Houston won six of those seven, one of its best runs of the season.

Unfortunately, Springer’s rookie season was cut short after suffering a left quad strain in mid-July. Following a sting on the disabled list and suffering two setbacks during rehab, the Astros decided to shut their young star down and prevent further injury. Springer finished the year playing in 78 games with a .231 average, .804 OPS, 20 homers and 50 RBI. That home run total was second among Houston everyday players and one short of Lance Berkman’s franchise record.

So what can Springer accomplish by beginning the 2015 season in the majors and presumably staying healthy. A 30-home run season seems entirely possible. There was some talk that the Astros might try Springer in center field, where he played in the minors. But Jake Marisnick or Colby Rasmus might be better at the position defensively, and playing Springer in right field might help keep his legs healthy. The Astros don’t need anything taking away from his potential power and ascension toward stardom.

X-Factor: Evan Gattis
Houston could have another potential 30-homer slugger in Gattis, acquired from the Braves during the offseason. But he hasn’t yet played more than 108 games in the majors. What sorts of numbers could the 28-year-old put up if he played in 140 or 150 games? Is he capable of that many games, staying healthy and accumulating close to 600 plate appearances?

The priority during the spring will be determining which position Gattis plays. The wise-guy answer would be to say that he’ll play “slugger” for the Astros. Gattis played 135 games at catcher during his two seasons in Atlanta, but wasn’t good defensively and the plan was to move him to the outfield. The presumption upon being traded to Houston was that Gattis would play left field, which seems like the only logical position for him since the Astros already had Carter and Singleton available at first base.

However, the team has three superior defensive outfielders and Gattis has an option that wasn’t available with the Braves: playing designated hitter. That’s likely where he’ll begin the season, possibly alternating with Carter at first base (depending on whether or not Singleton can win a spot on the roster this spring) and maybe seeing some time in left field when the Astros play in NL parks during interleague play. Gattis’ days as a catcher are almost certainly over, which should keep him healthier and enable him to be a middle-of-the-order run producer.

Key Question: Do the Astros have the starting pitching to compete?
With the Mariners, Angels and Athletics comprising a strong top three in the AL West that the Astros aren’t likely to break up, it’s probably smart that the front office didn’t try to reach for adding an expensive starting pitcher for its rotation. But can Houston really compete in the division or for a wild-card spot without a No. 1 starter?

That’s probably selling Dallas Keuchel short. In his third major league season, the left-hander emerged as the Astros’ best starter, finishing with a 12-9 record and 2.93 ERA while throwing 200 innings. Yet Keuchel also had 10 games in which he allowed three or fewer runs, yet lost or took a no-decision. With a much-improved offense, he should earn more victories. Perhaps he’ll even progress toward 20 wins.

Scott Feldman provides a veteran presence behind Keuchel who could add another 200 innings and Collin McHugh (2.73 ERA last season) gives the Astros what could be a formidable trip at the top of the rotation. Brett Oberholtzer might be the next young Houston starter to break out after making 24 starts last year. But the team did try to add another veteran anchor for the back of the rotation. Will not signing a Ryan Vogelsong or Kyle Kendrick leave a hole in the Astros’ starting five?

Pursuing an ace-level starter might not yet be the right move for the Astros. (Though next year looks like a good time to take that step, considering the crop of talent available in free agency.) But unless a prospect like Appel is soon ready for the majors, adding that kind of pitcher could be the difference in the Astros progressing toward the top of the AL West and contending for a postseason spot.

Best Case Scenario: Jumping from 70 wins to 80 or above seems like a steep climb for a young team to make in one season. Yet the Astros improved by 19 victories in 2014, so making that sort of leap is possible.

Will it happen this year in the AL West, however? This could shape up as the toughest division in the AL with Seattle, Oakland and the Angels wrestling for the title and consolation prize. The scrum might be a bit crowded for the Astros to squeeze this time around. But the next step for this team is to overtake .500 and show it can be a future contender. If the trio at the top of the division beat each other up, and one or two of them don’t match expectations, an upper-place finish for a team with monstrous upside is attainable.

Worst Case Scenario: Just because the front office is ready to place winning games above development doesn’t mean that the team is at that stage yet. We’ve seen this many times throughout professional sports. A young club appears poised to progress from hopeful to actual contender, but expectations are just a bit too high — or at least a year too early. The presumption is that young stars like Springer and Keuchel will build upon their emergent success, but it’s also entirely possible that those sorts of players regress for a season as part of their growing process. The Astros have enough players that might need a bit more time to stall forward momentum.

It’s also not difficult to imagine that what should be a powerful lineup could compromise that potential with a whole lot of strikeouts, leaving bushels of runners and scoring opportunities on base. And if the top of the starting rotation doesn’t develop as hoped, the lineup’s failure to consistently put the ball in play might result in the Astros losing several games that they should have won.

Realistic Prediction: Houston could improve to 80 wins or even clear the .500 threshold, yet still finish fourth in the AL West. The top tier of the division could be that good, keeping a promising young Astros club down. A last-place finish would be disappointing — especially since the Astros have more young talent than the Rangers, though lack a proven star like Adrian Beltre, Prince Fielder or Yu Darvish. But Luhnow’s plan is finally yielding some results after feeding Astros fans some terrible baseball during the past few seasons. This season should be an important step for this team, even if the division standings don’t necessarily reflect that progress.

This is one of the most amazing things I’ve seen this morning. Check out Cuban slugger Alfredo Despaigne in these two clips. Despaigne homered twice on Tuesday for Alazanes de Granma, and he didn’t exactly rush his trots around the bases. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13wq8TNmk68 He’s not even at first base before the ball lands on each homer! […]

This is one of the most amazing things I’ve seen this morning. Check out Cuban slugger Alfredo Despaigne in these two clips. Despaigne homered twice on Tuesday for Alazanes de Granma, and he didn’t exactly rush his trots around the bases.

Alfredo Despaigne went deep twice today in Cuba. Leisurely home run trots of 41 and 42 seconds. He is the best: https://t.co/L6zM2cPYhn

Earlier this offseason, the Tigers announced that freshly re-signed DH Victor Martinez would be undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He’ll likely be ready for Opening Day, but at 36 and coming off the best season of his career, this wasn’t the news that Detroit wanted to hear. But how did Martinez tear his […]

Earlier this offseason, the Tigers announced that freshly re-signed DH Victor Martinez would be undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He’ll likely be ready for Opening Day, but at 36 and coming off the best season of his career, this wasn’t the news that Detroit wanted to hear.

But how did Martinez tear his meniscus? Well, he was playing catch…outside of his house…with his brother.

V-Mart says his meniscus injury happened while he was playing catch with his brother in front of his house.

If there was any reason for Martinez burning all of his remaining gloves and simply focusing on hitting from here on out, this would be it.

Martinez hasn’t exactly been a regular in the field for Detroit (he’s played just 691 1/3 innings on the defensive side since coming to the Tigers before the 2011 season), but without a true backup corner infielder on the roster, he could be forced into duty in the event of a Miguel Cabrera injury.

Eliminating shifts. Shortening the season. Pace of play rules… Rob Manfred has said that “he’ll listen” on nearly every way to improve the game of baseball during his tenure as commissioner. Naturally, the fact that he’s even brought up the previous three topics (despite not even coming close to acting on the first two) has […]

Rob Manfred has said that “he’ll listen” on nearly every way to improve the game of baseball during his tenure as commissioner. Naturally, the fact that he’s even brought up the previous three topics (despite not even coming close to acting on the first two) has rubbed some baseball fans the wrong way. That got me thinking about what *other* ideas Manfred could discuss that would cause baseball fans to get extremely pissed off…even if he just mentions any of these topics in a casual conversation.

Contraction. Remember when Bud Selig and baseball’s owners flirted with contraction in 2001, and everyone lost their damn minds? That was fun. Imagine if Manfred started going down that rabbit hole again. The baseball world would have a meltdown. MLB hasn’t really touched the issue again, and the league would be wise to avoid it going forward. The league’s membership has been remarkably consistent – it’s only added four teams in the last 35 years, and only one team (the Montreal Expos) has been relocated. Compared to the other American pro sports, MLB has been the model of stability in terms of franchises entering or finding new homes. Now, relocation for the A’s or Rays could still be a possibility that improves the game, but completely killing one of those teams? It’s not even worth discussing.

Universal DH. Forcing NL teams to use the DH is the most obvious solution to help increase offense in the game and help the NL field a more competent overall slate of teams, but there are still some baseball purists that crave watching pitchers hit. They claim that National League baseball is “real” and “requires strategy”, despite the fact that every damn NL manager uses the same general strategies when a pitcher is scheduled to come to the plate. Whatever – implementing a universal DH would be an easy fix (though it’s not a magic bullet to fix all of baseball’s woes), one that the union likely wouldn’t fight a lick, and one that would annoy the hell out of people who love sac bunts.

KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 30: The Oakland Athletics line up during pre-game ceremonies for their American League Wild Card game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 30, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Playoff expansion. I was a young buck in 1995, the first season in which MLB had a Wild Card make the playoffs. But TOC was alive and kicking in 2011 when MLB introduced the second Wild Card, and I remember the backlash towards baseball (especially when the Braves were eliminated from the Postseason after one loss, thanks in large part to a dubious infield fly call) after the new format was announced. So how could Commissioner Manfred somehow make that idea worse? MORE PLAYOFF TEAMS! Let’s add a third Wild Card to each league, and give the top two division winners byes into the Division Series! Perfect!

(for the record…I do believe that the Wild Card playoff should be best of three instead of a winner take all one game, but that’s just me).

Balanced schedule. A balanced schedule would be a great idea. It’s silly that two teams in the same division don’t play the same interleague opponents. An an example of this silliness, the Angels go to San Francisco, have six with the Dodgers, and have split series with the Rockies and Diamondbacks…while the Mariners go to Los Angeles, have six with the Rockies, and have split series with the Giants and Padres. Those interleague games could be the difference in the AL West. However, if Manfred were to balance the schedule, you’d get fans pissed off that they’d be seeing their division rivals less, would be seeing interleague rivals less, and would be seeing intra-league teams more. You can’t please everyone.

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 3: Manager Mike Matheny #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals (R) takes out relief pitcher Randy Choate #36 during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 3, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 3-0. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)

Limiting/adjusting pitching changes. Please don’t do this. Yes, it sucks that some pitchers and hitters are limited and can’t hit/pitch against lefties/righties, but it’s just like the shift – if you suck at something, maybe try to adapt. Saying that pitchers would have to face more than one batter in an inning or pitch until the end of the inning or what have you would create regulations for a problem that isn’t there. It’s literally all a matter of trying to speed up the game and increase offense – there are easier ways to do that than changing part of the basic fabric of the game.

Pitch clock. It’s going to be at the minor league level this year…and people already hate it. “The best part about baseball is that there isn’t a clock!” Well, everything is still timed, and there’s a ton of dead time we can slice out of games without anyone noticing. Now, putting up a giant clock and calling attention to it is absolutely not the right way to go about things, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a couple of smaller clocks around, timing how long pitchers take, and letting them know just how much damn time they’re wasting on nothing. Adding a pitch clock won’t destroy the game, no matter what purists may believe.

New Pirates first baseman Corey Hart has already gotten injured in camp…and he’s in the running for “most ridiculous injury of Spring Training”. Dammit, Corey. The cut was also serious enough that it required stitches! But given Hart’s injury history, I’m sure the Pirates are thrilled that he “only” suffered a cut foot. Imagine if he […]

The Texas Rangers would like to forget 2014 ever happened. Coming into last season with big expectations based on the additions of Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo, Texas was decimated by injuries throughout the lineup and starting rotation, and it was too much to overcome. New manager Jeff Banister could be the new voice this […]

The Texas Rangers would like to forget 2014 ever happened. Coming into last season with big expectations based on the additions of Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo, Texas was decimated by injuries throughout the lineup and starting rotation, and it was too much to overcome. New manager Jeff Banister could be the new voice this team needs, and his analytical approach meshes better with GM Jon Daniels. The hope is that the labors of the previous offseason yield benefits one year later. But did the front office really do enough to improve this roster — especially on the pitching side — over the winter?

Impact Rookies: Delino DeShields Jr. was picked up from the Astros in December’s Rule 5 Draft. As such, he Rangers have to keep him on the 25-man roster or offer him back to Houston. However, DeShields should stick based on merit, providing a backup center fielder with some much needed speed off the bench. The 22-year-old stole 54 bases last year in Double-A with 11 home runs and 57 RBI. While he only hit .236, DeShields compiled a .346 on-base percentage, which gave him the opportunity to use that speed.

Ryan Rua appeared to be blocked in the organization as a third baseman, but could be on track to win a major league job after showing the ability to play the outfield. That could put him in position to win a starting job this spring. Rua, soon to be 25, hit 32 home runs from Single-A to Double-A in 2013, but significantly improved his batting average last year. Splitting his season between Double-A and Triple-A, he batted .306 with an .866 OPS, 26 doubles, 18 home runs and 74 RBI in 529 plate appearances. That earned him a late August call-up, after which he hit .295 with a .740 OPS in 25 games.

On the pitching side, Chi-Chi Gonzalez, 23, could help out in the rotation later in the season or perhaps win a spot during the spring. Moving from advanced Single-A to Double-A, the right-hander went 12-6 with a 2.67 ERA and 113 strikeouts and 41 walks in 138 innings. Alec Asher may also get a look, after going 11-11 with a 3.80 ERA in 154 innings, compiling a rate of 1.9 walks per nine frames.

Rangers fans will be keeping an eye on No. 1 prospect Joey Gallo and his massive home run numbers. The third baseman, 21, hit 42 homers with a .636 slugging percentage and 106 RBI, advancing from high Single-A to Double-A last season. A .232 average with 115 strikeouts in 291 plate appearances in Frisco shows Gallo still has some major improvements to make in his strike zone judgment, so he might still be a year away from the big leagues. But if Texas needs help at first base or designated hitter, perhaps he’ll get a shot.

Jorge Alfaro is another top prospect who could be a September call-up. There’s no need to rush him, since the Rangers are stocked at catcher and Alfaro likely needs a full year in the minors after finishing last season in Double-A. The 21-year-old hit .261 with a .763 OPS overall, while throwing out 28 percent of opposing basestealers.

Position Battles: Competition for the left field job will be the one to watch this spring, with as many as six candidates bidding for the position. As mentioned above, Rua is a leading contender after his September performance. Jake Smolinski was also impressive last season, batting .349 with a .903 OPS in 92 plate appearances.

Either Ryan Ludwick and Nate Schierholtz could win the job with an impressive spring, but would likely provide veteran reserve bats if they stick on the roster. (Schierholtz probably has an edge, as a left-handed bat, which Texas needs off the bench.) Carlos Peguero and Michael Choice are two more players in the mix, but face a steep uphill battle against so much competition.

Injury Concerns: Scratch Jurickson Profar off the “concern” list, since the Rangers already know he’s lost for the season. The infielder required surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, after missing all of last year with a similar injury.

Both Martin Perez and Matt Harrison are returning from surgeries that ended their 2014 seasons early. Perez underwent a Tommy John procedure last May, and the typical timetable for recovery puts him on track to possibly contribute until the second half of the year. Harrison might return sooner after having spinal fusion surgery in June, but still isn’t likely to be available for the first two months of the season.

Most Important Player: Adrian Beltre
If there was any doubt as to Beltre’s importance to the Rangers, the front office took care of that by picking up his option for 2016. Beltre was originally set to make $18 million this season, with a $16 million option for next year, but the team amended the contract to flip those salaries.

Beltre’s power numbers were down in 2014, due in part to a quad injury early in the season. But he still had an outstanding year, batting .324 with an .879 OPS, 33 doubles, 19 homers and 77 RBI. He also played his typically excellent defense at third base, credited with +9 Defensive Runs Saved. At 36 years old and Gallo looking ready to take his position in another year, Beltre still appears to have plenty left. Signing a longer extension past 2016 is a possibility, as the Rangers might consider him valuable as a veteran leader as younger players join the roster.

X-Factor: Prince Fielder
High expectations for the Rangers in 2014 were based largely on the belief that Fielder would rebound upon being traded from Detroit to Texas and hitting in Arlington’s warmer climate. Unfortunately, he got off to a very slow start, batting. 206 in April with a .644 OPS. Fielder looked to be heating up in May, with a .333/.421/.458 slash average in 57 plate appearances, but those hopes were quickly dashed with a neck injury that eventually required season-ending surgery.

It’s possible that Fielder’s neck issues contributed to his lesser productions with the Tigers in 2013. But after having surgery to correct the problem, the presumption is that a fully healthy Fielder will provide the resurgent season that the Rangers were hoping for last year. With a career .444 slugging percentage in 152 plate appearances at Globe Life Park, is the first baseman ready to put up the MVP-caliber numbers that Beltre boasted he would going into last season? The Rangers’ batting order is certainly much more powerful and should improve upon last year’s -136 run differential if Fielder can be a run producer in the No. 3 spot.

Key Question: How much starting pitching is there behind Yu Darvish?
Starting pitching was a disaster for the Rangers in 2014 when anyone but Darvish took the mound. Injuries decimated the rotation, with Holland, Perez and Harrison missing much of the season. Even Darvish only made 22 starts after getting shut down in August with elbow inflammation, amid grumblings that he quit on the team. Altogether, 15 pitchers got starts for Texas last season, just one indication of how difficult it was for the team to find quality innings.

Colby Lewis made 29 starts, but compiled a 5.18 ERA and allowed 11 hits per nine innings while working back from hip surgery. Young arms like Nick Martinez (5-12, 4.55 ERA) and Nick Tepesch (5-11, 4.36) struggled to pick up the slack. Texas should have more depth this season with Gonzalez, Alec Asher, Anthony Ranaudo and Luke Jackson possibilities to contribute starts early on or later in the year after work in the minors.

Daniels acquired a much needed starter in Yovani Gallardo, someone who can make 30-plus starts and throw 200 innings. A reliable, durable pitcher near the top of rotation is vital for a Rangers team that only had one starter pitch 170 innings last season. But are Gallardo’s days as a potential 200-strikeout pitcher over? He posted a career-low strikeout rate of 6.8 per nine innings last year. Yet the 29-year-old has become more of a groundball pitcher during the past three seasons, something that should help him in Arlington.

Best Case Scenario: Everyone — everyone — stays healthy, Banister adapts well in his first year as manager, and the Rangers have something close to the roster Daniels envisioned they would have last season. Shin-Soo Choo rebounds from a poor first season in Texas and becomes the on-base machine with power and speed that he’s been throughout most of his 10-year MLB career. The rotation gets 30-plus starts from Darvish, Holland, Gallardo and Lewis, while one or more of the organization’s pitching prospects is reliable in that fifth spot.

But has the rest of the AL West left Texas in the dust? The Angels, Mariners and A’s should all be competitive, and even the Astros appear to be a significantly improved club. Improving from 67 victories to something in the 80-win range would be a significant leap for the Rangers, probably too big a gap to clear. Yet if injuries are kept to a minimum and the big bats perform up to expectations, this could be a surprising team.

Worst Case Scenario: Once again, the roster becomes brittle and the season is a frequent roll of disabled list moves. There are plenty of candidates for the left field and fifth starter spots, but if none of them work out, those will be season-long issues. So will second base if Rougned Odor shows he’s not ready. What if Fielder is simply no longer the hitter he once was and is increasingly immobile at first base? In that case, can Mitch Moreland recover from his injury-shortened 2014 and either provide production and first base or DH? If not, can one of the spare outfield bats or minor league sensations fill in that missing production? Another 90-loss season is not out of the realm of possibility.

Realistic Prediction: It’s difficult to imagine that Texas could experience a repeat of 2014, when just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong. With a Cy Young candidate in Darvish and a MVP contender in Beltre, there’s no reason to think the Rangers won’t be competitive this year if players stay healthy and some roster question marks get positive answers. Seattle and Oakland made several moves during the offseason, but it’s possible that no team will break away from the pack in the AL West. If Texas can approach .500, they might flirt with a wild-card bid. However, competing with the Astros to avoid last place looks far more likely.

Trying to find a player due for a breakout season is fun, especially if: a) it’s a player from your favorite team and you tell other fans you’ve found a player to watch, or b) you play fantasy baseball and like rubbing it in to your friends that you know way more than they do. […]

Trying to find a player due for a breakout season is fun, especially if: a) it’s a player from your favorite team and you tell other fans you’ve found a player to watch, or b) you play fantasy baseball and like rubbing it in to your friends that you know way more than they do. Either way, it’s an opportunity to prove how smart you are to strangers and friends. Who doesn’t like that?

There are a lot of players who seem to be ready to bust out this year: rookies, second year guys, even players who’ve been around for longer than that. Everyone on this list has the potential to put up big numbers, as well as the potential to massively disappoint. But the odds are good that at least a few of them will take the leap.

Here’s a look at ten players who have the ability to take the next step this year:

Brandon Belt, Giants: His breakout likely would’ve happened last year if not for a broken hand followed by a concussion. Belt had 9 home runs in early May and looked like he could easily reach 30 at the rate he was going. An on base machine, Belt has the potential to hit for both power and average and is also a sneaky stolen base threat. He’ll likely bat third for the Giants and could be due for that monster season everyone has been expecting ever since he tore through the minor leagues in 2010.

Zack Wheeler, Mets: Wheeler showed signs of being an ace last year and is poised to take a big leap in 2015. If he can cut down on his walks, he has the potential to be special. He averaged more than a strikeout per inning last year and had games where he looked absolutely unhittable. It’s a shame he won’t get much support from his offense, but he should still post good numbers.

Joc Pederson, Dodgers: Pederson’s path to playing time was cleared when the Dodgers unloaded Matt Kemp, and the rookie will get his chance to make people believe the hype. There’s nothing left for him to prove in the minors, and Pederson presents real 20-20 (maybe even 30-30) potential with regular at bats. He’s the most exciting outfield prospect to come around in a while and it’d be no surprise to see him make an impact early.

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 25: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on May 25, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

George Springer, Astros: If he ever finds plate discipline, watch out. He may have struck out a ton, but Springer was still very impressive last year and could make a huge leap in 2015 if he can figure out the strike zone. He’s a big, strong guy with 30-plus home run potential who also possesses uncanny athleticism. He could easily lead the league in homers if he figures things out; on the flip side, he might strike out 220 times, too. But a big year awaits.

Oswaldo Arcia, Twins: He’s hit 34 home runs in parts of two big league seasons but doesn’t get a lot of press (or any press) for a variety of reasons. The Twins may have bigger prospects in the pipeline, but Arcia has shown he’s ready for an every day role and should finally get the chance in 2015. He has definite 30 homer potential and his minor league numbers suggest his OPS should rise, too. Arcia is the definition of a sleeper.

Marcell Ozuna, Marlins: He had an excellent 2014 and should be ready to take a huge leap forward this season. Ozuna basically skipped two levels of minor league ball and went straight to the majors, yet he’s performed so well it’s clear he wasn’t rushed prematurely. With a better lineup around him in Miami, the time seems right for Ozuna to reach the next level.

Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays: Will he start? Will he close? No matter, since Sanchez has the pure stuff to succeed in either role. He was virtually untouchable in 33 innings last year, and if the Blue Jays don’t trade for a proven closer it’s easy to picture Sanchez putting up huge numbers there for an improved Jays team. He should have the same kind of success as a starter, but his innings will likely be limited if he’s in the rotation. Either way, he’s poised to make a lot of noise this season.

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 23: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 23, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Gerrit Cole, Pirates: You can argue that he’s already broken out, but the potential is there for Cole to be a perennial Cy Young candidate. His third year should be the year he finally puts it all together and dominates for a Pirates team that expects to be in contention. He should get closer to 200 IP this year if he can stay healthy and it’ll be interesting to see how his numbers react. With as much talent as he has, those numbers should be big. This should be the year Cole proves everyone who named him one of the best pitching prospects in baseball right.

Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox: He didn’t live up to the hype in his rookie year, but asking any young guy to play shortstop in Boston and put up big numbers is a tall task. Now, removed from the hype and surrounded by a much better lineup, Bogaerts should be able to relax and let his natural ability shine through this year. He’s a shortstop with 20-plus home run potential, something that doesn’t come along every day. While the fans and media focus on all of Boston’s new acquisitions, Bogaerts can go about his business and show that everyone was right about his potential…just a year late.

Eric Hosmer, Royals: You’re forgiven if you feel like Hosmer has been around for 10 or so years, considering the immense hype and expectations that were pinned to him before he even debuted. But Hosmer is only 25, coming off a huge second half and postseason and poised to build on that success in 2015. He’s had a nice career up to this point, but nowhere near what many thought he was capable of when he debuted in Kansas City. This should finally be the year that Hosmer establishes himself as the dangerous middle-of-the-order hitter Royals fans have wanted him to be for years. A 25 home run season isn’t out of the question.

Everyone thinks they know who the favorites for the World Series are this year. But as we saw with the Royals last year, sometimes teams come out of nowhere to make an unlikely postseason run. We’re not talking about trendy sleeper picks like the Mariners, Indians and both Chicago teams. We’re talking about real dark horse […]

Everyone thinks they know who the favorites for the World Series are this year. But as we saw with the Royals last year, sometimes teams come out of nowhere to make an unlikely postseason run. We’re not talking about trendy sleeper picks like the Mariners, Indians and both Chicago teams. We’re talking about real dark horse World Series contenders, teams that nobody is really taking seriously but who could shock the world if everything goes right for them. Who could those teams be this year?

New York Mets
The Mets as contenders? I know. I almost don’t believe it myself. It is easy to forget though that the Mets weren’t all that bad last year, winning 79 games. And that was without Matt Harvey who will be making his return from Tommy John surgery this year.

That’s really the key for the Mets. Harvey can take what is a good rotation to something pretty special. Jacob deGrom won NL Rookie of the Year last year. Zach Wheeler is a good young talent. Noah Syndergaard is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball and expected to be a member of the rotation this season. That leaves them with some combination of Bartolo Colon, Jon Niese and Dillon Gee as their fifth starter. That may not challenge the Nationals’ star-studded rotation, but it is pretty stinking food.

More importantly, all that quality rotation depth gives the Mets options on the trade market to pursue upgrades to their middling offense, which has already added Michael Cuddyer. If they can add another bat in the outfield or perhaps a quality shortstop, have Travis D’Arnaud take a step forward and have Lucas Duda repeat his breakout performance from last season, the Mets could sneak up on people, steal a Wild Card spot and have their rotation unleash holy hell in the postseason.

ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 25: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins receives high fives in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 25, 2014 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Miami Marlins
Yep, we’re going back to the NL East even though the Nats are expected to runaway with the division. This, again, is another team that wasn’t nearly as bad last season as their reputation might have you believe. They won 77 games in 2014 and that was without Jose Fernandez for several months and Giancarlo Stanton missing the final month of the season.

In addition to getting those two superstars back (though Fernandez may not return until June or July), the Fish made some nice upgrades around the diamond. Dee Gordon may have a lot of warts, but he’s a far sight better than the Donovan Solano-led group of misfits that manned the keystone for Miami last year. Michael Morse is a step up over Garrett Jones at first base. Martin Prado is a good bet to out-produce what Casey MacGahee gave them both at the plate and in the field at third base last season. With rotation additions of Mat Latos and Dan Haren, the Marlins actually have some real veteran leadership to carry the load for them as they await Fernandez’s return and buoy them under the pressures of a potential playoff push.

The fact of the matter is that the Marlins are going to be a legit contender in the next few years, but if things fall right for them this year, they could jump the timeline and make a World Series run now.

CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 4: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers smiles as he plays catch in the outfield during batting practice before the game against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on August 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)

Texas RangersOK, this one takes a little bit of imagination, but not as much as you think. The Rangers’ 2014 season was an outright disaster as they lost 95 games. But what you have to remember is that they were ravaged by a rash of injuries that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemies. It is virtually impossible for them to suffer the same level of attrition this year.

But if you turn back the clock to a year ago today, you might recall that Texas was still considered a legit contender to win the tough AL West. That obviously didn’t happen, but this roster that people thought so highly of didn’t really change all that much.

They’ve still got a legit ace in Yu Darvish, who missed a big part of the season with injuries. Behind him is All-Star Derek Holland, who missed most of 2014 with injuries. They’ve gone on to add Yovani Gallardo, a former All-Star himself, but more importantly, a guy who has logged 180+ innings each of the last six season. That’s at least the beginnings of a quality rotation and a whole hell of a lot better than last year’s rotation which employed 15 different players and was forced to give 24 starts to the likes of Nick Martinez. Heck, if their actually lucky for a change, they might even add another quality arm mid-season when Martin Perez comes back from Tommy John surgery. They also remain dark horse contenders to swoop in and trade for Cole Hamels or, more likely, Cliff Lee.

The real shocker in 2014 though was how badly Texas’ normally stellar offense cratered. A big part of that was Prince Fielder essentially missing the entire season to have neck surgery. He’ll be back this year and if, a very big “if”, I grant you, he recaptures his old form, he can single-handedly resuscitate the Ranger lineup. It would help if Shin-Soo Choo, who played hurt all of last season, could be healthy and productive again, too.

Despite not making the playoffs in 2013, the Nationals were heavily favored in 2014. Sure enough, they coasted through the NL East, withstanding an early challenge from the Braves, and finished with the best record in the NL. Then, the Giants eliminated them from the NLDS in four games. Once again this winter, Washington was […]

Despite not making the playoffs in 2013, the Nationals were heavily favored in 2014. Sure enough, they coasted through the NL East, withstanding an early challenge from the Braves, and finished with the best record in the NL. Then, the Giants eliminated them from the NLDS in four games. Once again this winter, Washington was declared the winner of the offseason, and are heavily favored in the National League. But can they make it at least to the NLCS this time around?

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 16: Michael Taylor #18 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with teammates after scoring in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on August 16, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Impact Rookies: Michael Taylor is expected to start the year in the outfield as Jayson Werth recovers from shoulder surgery. Taylor and fellow athletic outfielder Brian Goodwin could break through to the major league part of Washington’s depth chart if Werth and Nate McLouth both continue to struggle in their recovery from shoulder surgery.

Aside from those two, you’re not going to be seeing much from Nationals prospects this season. Their best prospects are starting pitchers, and the Nationals almost have too many (if you want to call that a thing) capable MLB starters. The Nationals aren’t going to rush A.J. Cole, Lucas Giolito, or Joe Ross when Taylor Jordan, Tanner Roark, and maybe even Blake Treinen are right there.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 10: Danny Espinosa #8 of the Washington Nationals scores on an RBI single from Jayson Werth #28 in the top of the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on June 10, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Position Battles: The only position battles going on in Nationals camp this spring are for bench and bullpen spots. And even then, the spots really aren’t that much of a challenge. Danny Espinosa still has options left, and could lose his backup middle infielder spot to Dan Uggla, Ian Stewart, or Jeff Kobernus. Tyler Moore does *not* have options left, but Mike Carp is a reasonable choice to replace him in case the club wants another lefty on the bench.

The bullpen looks pretty secure after the signing of Max Scherzer bumped Tanner Roark to the pen, and after Casey Janssen replaced Tyler Clippard as Drew Storen’s top set-up man. The only reliever I could see losing his spot is Aaron Barrett, who is still pre-arb…but is out of options. Blake Treinen, Xavier Cedeno, Evan Meek, Heath Bell, or Manny Delcarmen could push him, but I’d bet Washington just goes with Barrett and lets that be that.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 03: Jayson Werth #28 of the Washington Nationals reacts after striking out in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants during Game One of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Injury Concerns: Jayson Werth’s shoulder surgery could result in him starting the year on the DL, which would necessitate Michael Taylor getting more playing time to start the year. You never want to hear the word “shoulder” with any player, but a right fielder? That’s not a good thing at all. Speaking of shoulders, Ryan Zimmerman’s shoulder is so show that he was forced to move across the diamond this winter to replace Adam LaRoche at first base. Zimmerman’s shoulder didn’t give him many issues in 2014, but he did miss 100 games because of a fractured thumb and a strained hamstring. The guy can’t catch a break.

Bryce Harper also spent time on the DL for the second straight year, this time because of a torn ligament in his thumb. He’s an incredibly talented player, but his aggressive style results in his share of injuries. Catcher Wilson Ramos also gets injured on seemingly a yearly basis, and he was out in 2014 because of a tight hamstring and a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist. Jose Lobaton is a decent enough caddy for him during Ramos’s inevitable time off.

The pitching staff is in decent shape. Doug Fister started 2014 on the DL because of a strained lat, but didn’t miss a start once he returned in early May. Gio Gonzalez missed a month with shoulder inflammation, but it didn’t seem to effect him in the second half of the year. Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann combined to make 66 starts. We can move along now.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 07: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals celebrates as he rounds the bases on his solo home run in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants during Game Four of the National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 7, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Most Important Player: Bryce Harper.
While Anthony Rendon is probably Washington’s best player, Harper is their most important. He’s only 22, and has logged 357 games in the majors Yet, some fans think of him as an overrated bust, despite his .272/.351/.465 line because of his issues with injuries and the fact that while he’s been a fantastic player, he’s not Mike Trout. Harper is going into his fourth major league season in 2015, and can do a lot to quiet his critics by putting together a great season.

And with fellow corner outfielder Jayson Werth limited because of his shoulder, Harper will need to produce and stay healthy so the Nationals aren’t forced to start a pair of rookies, Michael Taylor and Brian Goodwin, in the outfield. The team could probably still succeed without Harper in the lineup, but having him in there for 150 games and replicating that career line would be a huge boost for this team.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 03: Denard Span #2 of the Washington Nationals catches a fly ball hit by Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants for the second out of the first inning during Game One of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

X-Factor: Denard Span.
Fitting that this preview is going up on the 27th, because it’s Denard Span’s 31st birthday. Happy birthday, Denard! Anyway, Span had one of the best years of his career in 2014, hitting .302/.355/.416 with five homers and 31 steals while striking out at a career-low rate. But Span is now 31, and it’ll be tough for him to repeat those numbers as he ages. That stat line was influenced by a .330 BABIP, his highest mark since 2009. I wouldn’t bet on him posting a mark that high for the second straight year.

His outfield defense also declined a bit last year, and again, it’ll be tough for him to improve given his age. Span has been a remarkably consistent player throughout his career, but there’s a pretty big difference in his performance over two seasons as a National. In 2014, he was a borderline All-Star. In 2013, he was an average regular. Which Denard Span will show up in 2015?

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 19: Shortstop Yunel Escobar #11 of the Tampa Bay Rays makes the throw to second base for the out on Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox off of the fielder’s choice by Avisail Garcia to end the top of the first inning of a game on September 19, 2014 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

Key Question: Can Yunel Escobar handle second base every day?
The Nationals seemingly solved their years-long conundrum at second base by bringing in Yunel Escobar from the Rays (through the A’s) this offseason. Naturally, Escobar isn’t a sure thing at the position. In fact, there are four issues I came up with in regards to his acquisition.

The first issue is that Escobar has played a total of 164 1/3 innings at second in the majors, and they came with the Braves in 2007 (when he was just 24).

The second issue is that Escobar’s defensive numbers at short were pitiful in 2014 after being above average throughout his major league career – was 2014 just a blip on the radar, or a sign of things to come?

The third issue is that Escobar’s offensive performance has been mediocre in four of the last five seasons, and his three worst seasons all led to trades (which led to a redemption in his first full year with his new club).

The fourth issue is that he’s 32, and the prior three issues will likely be more difficult for him to handle given his age. Escobar is probably a better option at the position than Danny Espinosa and Dan Uggla, but that may not be saying all that much.

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 20: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with teammates after knocking in the game-winning run in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park on August 20, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won the game 3-2, their ninth in a row. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Best Case Scenario: The team finally lives up to its expectations, rolls through the regular seasons, and crushes all teams in its path on the way to the franchise’s first World Championship and DC’s first title since the Redskins beat the Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. One member of their talented rotation wins the Cy Young award, and either Bryce Harper or Anthony Rendon wins the NL MVP. None of this is far-fetched at all.

Worst Case Scenario: Remember 2013? There isn’t a team in the NL East this year as good as the Braves from that season to challenge the Nationals, but the Mets and Marlins could make some noise with a little bit of luck. Imagine if one of them gets off to a hot start, and the Nationals have to play catch up again. They deal with injuries to several key players, and just can’t get into a rhythm. Finally, they lose out on the division crown in the season’s final week, and can’t even get a Wild Card slot because of strong performances by the runners up in the NL Central and NL West. This is a worst case, nightmarish scenario that would probably result in several people in Washington’s management losing their jobs.

Realistic Prediction: There are two fantastic teams in baseball this year, three or four great teams, and a whole lot of teams that can contend for a playoff spot. Washington is one of those two fantastic teams. They’ve got all the talent in place to win a championship, and no one would be shocked if they ended 2015 as World Series winners. But it’s much easier said than done, and we’ve said the same thing about the Nationals in each of the last two springs…and have seen them win one playoff game over those two years.

We’ve taken a bit of a break from bringing you all of the ridiculous alternate jerseys that minor league teams will wear this season, but we felt the need to call attention to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (high-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) and their Christmas Vacation jerseys. Find out what these are for and […]

We’ve taken a bit of a break from bringing you all of the ridiculous alternate jerseys that minor league teams will wear this season, but we felt the need to call attention to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (high-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) and their Christmas Vacation jerseys.

In case you’re curious – yes, that is a Santa Claus outfit wrapped in Christmas lights. Here are the full details of the Pelicans’ “Christmas Vacation in July” night on July 26th.

The 2015 promotional schedule is chock-full of a variety of new theme nights. July 26 is “Christmas Vacation in July” and gives a National Lampoon twist to the popular minor league baseball promotion of Christmas in July. The night includes Christmas-light-wrapped ugly sweater jerseys, a Cousin Eddie-style alpine hat giveaway for the first 1,000 fans, and Christmas-themed ballpark decorations. Fans can also bring unwrapped toys to donate to the Salvation Army.

Sometimes, I get jealous of my local team not doing anything this crazy.